Ciaran O’Brien, Communications Director at William Hill, has entered the Tipster Challenge limelight for this week at Chepstow Races.
Ciaran O’Brien was a star of the previous format, recording 16.50 points at Cheltenham in March 2016. A similar result would put him top of the table, ahead of current leader Alan Alger of Betway.
Stephen Harris, Horse Racing Guru at bettingexpert, has taken a few chances this week as he looks to move up from seventh place.
Meanwhile, Timeform is looking to build on a series of consistent, yet unspectacular, recent performances at Chepstow and Bangor.
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12:50
bettingexpert: Mister Big
Showed promise when well backed for his bumper 590 days ago, and seems sure to be well prepared for this hurdling debut.
Timeform: Garo De Juilley
Looked slightly ungainly when fifth on last month’s hurdles debut, but he will have learnt plenty for that and his flat record hardly suggests he’s a quirky sort.
William Hill: Utility
The favourite will be fancied here, but Utility sets a reasonable mark and is probably better than recent runs indicate.
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1:20
bettingexpert: Classi Massini
Ran well when second on her hurdling debut in July and cannot have been right when disappointing next time. She might get a positive ride dropping down to two miles now, and the mares allowance is a big help.
Timeform: Compadre
A good sort physically, and though he could never land a blow in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, he was far from disgraced.
William Hill: Copain De Classe
It’s O’Neill vs Nicholls again, but this time I give the vote to the champion’s trainer as the worthy favourite. Cue results coming in to the exact opposite of what I’ve picked.
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1:55
bettingexpert: Verygoodverygood
Looked good under a penalty for last week’s Ffos Las win, and is open to lots of improvement on just his third start for the red hot Twiston-Davies stable.
Timeform: Verygoodverygood
Turned out under a penalty following last week’s decisive victory at Ffos Las, and with the prospect of more to come for his current yard, he should take some stopping.
William Hill: Verygoodverygood
Verygoodverygood is very, very consistent, and can continue Nigel Twiston Davies’ good run of form.
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2:25
bettingexpert: Walk on Al
A fascinating runner on debut for Fergal O’Brien, and looks on a remarkably low mark if his new surroundings have a positive effect.
Timeform: Calin Du Brizais
Unexposed as a chaser compared to most this field and, following a pipe-opener over hurdles at Exeter last month, he should be spot on to produce a big effort.
William Hill: Loughalder
The consistent course and distance winner should have ideal going and represents good value.
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3:00
bettingexpert: Present Trend
Has been running well at a similar level, and her proven race fitness could be a deciding factor in a weak handicap.
Timeform: Katarrhini
Whilst coming with clear risks attached, has joined a yard going along quite well, and come down plenty in the weights ahead of this return to action.
William Hill: Kayf Charmer
The going should be no problem, and with the jockey claiming 5 lbs he looks a fair bet in an open race.
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3:35
bettingexpert: Wilton Milan
Was never able to land a blow under a negative ride last time at Carlisle, and will surely be ridden more positively here to utilise his high cruising speed.
Timeform: Wilton Milan
Needs to be forgiven a lesser effort at Carlisle on his most recent start, but he has undoubtedly fallen to a handy mark, and shades the vote in the hope he can bounce back.
William Hill: Ratify
The consistent Ratify can overcome a long break and show why he is the only course and distance winner in this race.
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4:05
bettingexpert: Audacious Plan
Hails from a stable in top form, and perhaps a switch back to hurdling from a falling mark will revive his flagging fortunes.
Timeform: Bramble Brook
Stand out as a progressive type in this line-up, and it’s worth chancing his stamina up significantly in trip.
William Hill: One Cool Scorpion
Lightly raced, and handicapper may not have him in his grasp yet.
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Tipster Challenge 2016/17 Leaderboard
Rank | Tipster | Race Wins | Points |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Alan Alger - Betway | 3 | 11.41 |
2 | Phillip Anderson - Before The Off | 3 | 6.17 |
3 | John Hill - Coral | 2 | 4.25 |
4 | Michael Shinners - Sky Bet | 2 | 4.00 |
5 | Timeform | 1.67 | 2.77 |
6 | John Cruces - Dafabet | 1 | 1.25 |
7 | bettingexpert | 0.50 | 0.79 |
8 | Ed Nicholson - Unibet | 1 | 0.73 |